InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – Wahyu Perdana, the Advocacy and Campaign Manager at Pantau Gambut, revealed indications of involvement from various parties in drainage practices on peatlands, which have increased the risk of forest fires. He stated that the high groundwater level standard in peat ecosystems, still set at 40 cm or 0.4 meters, contributes to the drying and flammability of the land.
“Peatlands should remain wet, as there is no logic that justifies peatlands drying out naturally. If fires occur, it indicates that drainage efforts have been made in peat ecosystems that should function as protected areas,” Wahyu said during the launch of the Peatland Study Report, a collaboration between Kaoem Telapk and Pantau Gambut, attended by InfoSAWIT on Tuesday (February 25, 2025).
Wahyu emphasized that the drying of peatlands is not a natural occurrence but rather a deliberate action that potentially violates environmental regulations. He asserted that, in a legal context, not only those who actively engage in drainage should be held accountable, but also those who allow such practices to continue.
He questioned whether the government is genuinely enforcing laws related to peat protection or instead providing leniency towards practices that could damage the ecosystem. “If the government is currently establishing numerous policies regarding peatland management, we need to assess whether these policies are aimed at truly enforcing the law or merely creating loopholes for further exploitation,” he added.
In recent years, peatlands have frequently been in the spotlight due to recurring forest fires that contribute to the environmental crisis. Environmental organizations and civil society continue to urge the government to tighten oversight of peat management and take firm action against those proven to be causing destruction.
The issue of peatland drainage is also a concern within national development schemes, including national strategic projects that involve converting peatlands into agricultural or plantation areas. However, this raises concerns about the long-term impacts on the environment and ecosystem balance.
With the increasing impact of these issues, calls for the government to take decisive action in enforcing laws and improving peatland governance are growing stronger. Concrete steps to ensure that peat ecosystems continue to function naturally are seen as crucial in preserving the environment and preventing ecological disasters in the future. (T2)
